UGA football chatter: O-line shakeup, tailback update and G-Day countdown
ATHENS — Cleaning out the notebook after Tuesday’s football practice:
Sturdivant
- Offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant’s third major knee injury occurred in a Saturday scrimmage that was closed to the media and the public, but even those who were there -– the players and coaches -– apparently didn’t realize the severity of it. “We thought it was just a sprain,” center Ben Jones said Tuesday. “Then he calls me [with the news of a torn ACL], and I was, like, ‘Oh, you’re kidding, right?’ … We thought everything was going to be fine.”
- The four players chosen by Mark Richt to draft the teams for the G-Day game –- Aaron Murray and Brandon Boykin on one side, Jones and Christian Robinson on the other -– obviously enjoyed the experience Monday night. They were still bantering back and forth, in good fun, after practice Tuesday. Said Murray: “Boykin and I absolutely dominated the draft.” Countered Jones: “We got a winning team. We got the O-line –- we got Cordy [Glenn]; we got [Kenarious] Gates. . . . I was saying, ‘I’m going to pick my buddies.’ I told my boy Cordy I was going to get him first, and I got him first.” Said Boykin: “I think me and Aaron did a tremendous job picking, and [Jones and Robinson] helped us by picking some not-too-good choices, as well, to start off.”
- Boykin said the “steal of the draft” was his side’s selection of Taylor Bradberry, a walk-on wide receiver. “He’s sure-handed — similar to A.J. Green, just not as fast,” Boykin claimed. “He always makes plays on G-Day.”
- Spring practice has produced no big breakthrough at the tailback position, which awaits the summer arrival of Isaiah Crowell. A hamstring injury has sidelined Washaun Ealey for most of the spring, and a groin injury has slowed Ken Malcome. Caleb King has stayed healthy and “shown flashes,” said offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, adding: “I wouldn’t say anybody has stepped out and said, ‘Hey, I’m the man.’”
- Before Sturdivant’s injury, he and converted guard Cordy Glenn were alternating between left and right tackles. Now, Glenn is the obvious starter at left tackle. Offensive line coach Will Friend said Glenn has had a good spring but needs to shed a little weight.
- As for the now-open job at right tackle, Justin Anderson and A.J. Harmon are the top contenders. “I feel good about those two guys as far as seeing potential and seeing the things they can do,” Friend said.
- Anderson started 12 games on Georgia’s offensive line –- seven in 2008 and five in 2009 -– before a short-lived and ill-fated move to the defensive line last year saw him appear in only one game in a season cut short by toe surgery.
- Harmon, entering his fourth season in the program, has appeared in just seven games and started none. Asked if he’s ready to be a starter, Harmon said: “Of course. I mean, it’s been three years. I would hope I’m ready.”
- Bobo on Harmon: “A.J. is a guy who’s got a lot of talent. Hasn’t been consistent enough to play like he should. I think he sees it as an opportunity. A lot of times, when an opportunity presents itself like this, guys tend to step up. That’s what we think A.J. will do; he’s got the ability.”
- The Bulldogs will be back on the practice field Thursday, their only remaining practice before G-Day.
- And speaking of G-Day, former UGA quarterbacks Matthew Stafford, D.J. Shockley, David Greene and Eric Zeier will participate in a skills competition at halftime. Another former UGA quarterback was asked why he’s not participating. “Because I would win,” Bobo said.
- Tim Tucker, AJC
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174 comments Add your comment
51WTGW50
April 13th, 2011
10:02 am
mr. bulldog
I am sure anybody could carry “Herschel’s” jock strap. The question is will the FUMBLE it. If you are mr. bulldog why don’t you know how to spell your greatest Dawgs name.
DawginLex
April 13th, 2011
10:10 am
They found the guys who stole all the stuff out of the lockers.
It was Mo Clarett getting stuff for Terry Porter so he could sell it and get some money.
Terry discovered that even though he is in The Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame, calling that bogus penalty and raping Miami out of a national title doesn’t pay too well in the real world.
Mo decided to hep’ him out
K-Town Dawg
April 13th, 2011
10:12 am
I wish Ealy the best, but I have to agree with mr. bulldog.
Not only could Ealy not carry Herschel’s jock strap, I bet Herschel could show up at the G-Day game in street clothes and leave that afternoon as the leading rusher.
The man is a physical specimen and to those that think Ealy compares, give it 30 years and we’ll see if Ealy can dominate the MMA arena at 50.
AfghanHound
April 13th, 2011
10:15 am
The reason no one could carry Herschel’s jock is because they couldn’t get close enough. The throng of UGa Herschel “supporters” behind his a#* is still so big that you could not get close enough even to sniff ole Herschel. Herschel’s gonna have more pall bearers than Tiger’s had lovers.
Buckeye
April 13th, 2011
10:17 am
You’ve gotta check out this Wally Backman tirade! It’s a classic……
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/extramustard/hotclicks/04/12/jill-wagner-new-wally-backman-tirade/index.html?eref=sihp
uncle kirk
April 13th, 2011
10:17 am
51, compare staffords numbers to some other great pro’s first 2 years and see where they are. Consider the fact that he has been behind one of the worst o-lines in history. You don’t have to hate just cause you don’t like him for some reason. Give him a shot.
Buckeye
April 13th, 2011
10:21 am
DawginLex,
Say it ain’t Mo!
Here’s your morning lesson speaking of Mr. Porter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFpTkYMLzdc
51WTGW50
April 13th, 2011
10:24 am
Matt Ryan didn’t have a great O-line his first 2 years. Better than the Lions? Probably yes but not great and Matt was able to stay healthy and upright to play. In 2 years Stafford has even played a season. I don’t fault Stafford for taking the money. Don’t people in the NFL know UGA QB’s can’t play in the NFL? Carry a clipboard for a few years but Not your starting QB much less #1 pick.
UGA Insider
April 13th, 2011
10:24 am
The UF Gators had 7 offensive lineman practicing this spring- that’s including walk-ons folks. Do you hear their fans bitching and moaning??? Hell no, they go with what they got and the continue to practice hard. Whoever Muschamp is left with will be damn tough for sure.
However if one of our kids unfortunately get hurt we blame the S & C coach or the Oline coach and even the head coach. Folks injury is part of the game. Let me tell you some inside information…last year we did not practice physically and it cost us 5 or 6 games. This year we WILL practice physically and it will cost us some players due to injury along the way- but we will win more games and we are going to be a better team. As a matter of fact I predict we will have the best defense in the SEC. Marshall and Swann are coming soon and will earn starting positions at CB and Safety respectively. We are stacked on defense!
1eyedJack
April 13th, 2011
10:28 am
51WTGW50, where do you see Nesbitt being drafted and how do you think he will fare in the NFL?
Hating on our heroes just makes you look that more pitiful.
And Herschel will never die, he’ll just morph into an advanced life form.
Buckeye
April 13th, 2011
10:32 am
DawginLex,
And here is lesson # 2. Same circumstances, different point of view.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMvjADmxhVw
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 13th, 2011
10:33 am
We Own This State. More like we owe this state the 50 millions in bonds used to update the Tech. Facilities. They also owe thier previuos BB coach 7 million. Maybe they can generate enough excitement in the football game this year to fill up the stadium or in BB to draw a crowd. They will need that money to get out of debt. Wonder if they used Obama’s economic advisors?
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
10:34 am
Also Herschel had an oversized jock-strap, so factor that in.
51WTGW50
April 13th, 2011
10:36 am
1iedJack
You know Nesbitt will not be an NFL QB, but he may get a chance to play at some position. I don’t know what the Scouts are thinking. If Stafford is you HERO you are in trouble. He ran as fast as he could for the NFL. He is no DAWG he is a Matt Stafford fan the mostest. You know that is true.
DawginLex
April 13th, 2011
10:42 am
buckeye,
There is no way you make that call the way it was made. If the guy watching the play from the front of the end zone didn’t see the need to call it, then you let it go. They hand hold on EVERY play.
To call that penalty after watching them do it all game and call nothing is horrible.
uuugghh...
April 13th, 2011
10:52 am
Darren,
I don’t believe your comparison of Ealey to Walker works…nor does your questioning Murray winning the QB spot while Ealey has not won the RB spot.
The difference is neither Walker nor Murray have been arrested. Ealey has. Neither Murray nor Walker were ever suspended from the team. Ealey has been for skipping punishment running.
Murray and Walker put the team first. Ealey puts himself first.
Clearly the difference you need to see but can’t is attitude.
Druid City
April 13th, 2011
11:08 am
They should have Matthew Stafford, D.J. Shockley, David Greene, Eric Zeier, and Mike Bobo in a play calling competition throughout the G-Day game.
We already know who would NOT win.
7576DAWG
April 13th, 2011
11:08 am
Tim
We recruited and signed 6 OL in 2011. Do you know enough about Andrews, Dantzler, DeBell, Long, Theus or Ward to say whether they can play as freshmen.
Druid City
April 13th, 2011
11:10 am
Ealey = Herschel Walker?
Are you Georgia fans THAT desperate for some good news?
Nel-Dorado
April 13th, 2011
11:12 am
@Tosh.No, you can’t be serious about Joe Cox being better than Bobo. Joe Cox is not better than any UGA QB ever…..
uuugghh...
April 13th, 2011
11:14 am
Nel…who was calling the plays Joe ran?
dawgfacedboy
April 13th, 2011
11:21 am
Mr. Bulldog- None of the RBs you mentioned shared carries except for MOreno who still took the majority of the carries. Ealey would’ve posted back to back 1,000 yard seasons (the 2nd would’ve been comparable to Lattimor’s season at S.C. stat wise) if he was not sharing carries.
dawgfacedboy
April 13th, 2011
11:23 am
That being said, Herschel is in a class of his own. Trying to compare anyone with arguably the greatest college football player ever just doesn’t hold water.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 13th, 2011
11:24 am
Dawgt Nation,
Druid City was a World Basketball Association franchise in Tuscaloosa Alabam that lasted one year (2006) and then folded. About as pertinent as the Druid City comments on this blog I would say. They could not even average 1000 fans at $5.00 for an adult ticket. They sold more kid tickets at $3.00 than adults. Guess they probably couldn’t find 1000 adults there from the sounds of this Druid City. Now do you see any simularities between a failed sports team and the Druid City comments on this blog. Very simular I would say.
BAMA PRIDE
April 13th, 2011
11:24 am
Do I smell 6-7 out of Athens…….again???
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Seriously – best of luck to the Dawgs this year – the East is wide open and I think your defense is going to be greatly improved in 2011.
Bama’s defense was Jekyll and Hyde Saban’s first year.
We got beat by Lousiana Monroe!!!!!!
Lessons learned – and it was tough.
The next year – our defense was very good for the most part.
I think UGA is on the verge of being relevent again – but talk is cheap and results on the field is all that matters.
On offense – I actually think Ealey and King are good backs – not great – but very good – but combined with such an under achieveing OLINE – it really made them look bad. Both are hard runners and King is a good pass blocker.
Losing AJ Green will NOT be the end of the world – who were UGA’s receivers when they won SEC titles in 2002 and 2005??? I suggest the current WR corp is comparible. NO AJ Green type receivers on that roster.
Big issue is the OLINE.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!
oledawg
April 13th, 2011
11:27 am
Alt- Is it true that Herschel used his jock strap as a sling when he dislocated his shoulder?
Now what do we do when Mason outperforms Murray?
Just pulling your collective legs while we all have fun anticipating our first game. Hope we get through to Boise St without major player deprivation. Sounds like the lineup for this game will be fun. We need that desperately.
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
11:30 am
I heard that Herschel used his jock strap to beat the hell out of Chuck Norris.
DawginLex
April 13th, 2011
11:31 am
Bama pride,
Question for you.
How is it that Saban gets a pass for 2010 compared to Richt in 2008.
Both teams preseason ranked #1
Both teams went 10-3
Both teams blew a big lead to their archrival in the last game of the year
Both teams beat Michigan State in the Cap One Bowl.
Both clearly underachieved compared to preseason expectations.
What will the Tide fanbase do if LSU represents the SEC this year, clearly passing Bama in the SEC pecking order?
Nel-Dorado
April 13th, 2011
11:33 am
uuugghh….That would be Mike Bobo, But Mike Bobo is not the 6 ft. QB who would attempt to throw the ball away and wouldnt even be able to throw it to the sidelines and it result in a interception.
Joe Cox could never be a coordinator.
If you like Joe that much, I feel sorry for you. In my opinion Logan Gray should have been getting more reps that season instead of the “Senior QB” with experience, give me a break. That worke out well for UGA.
AltamahaDawg
April 13th, 2011
11:37 am
Bama Pride is more level headed about Georgia than a significant % of poster in here.
Druid City
April 13th, 2011
11:39 am
Mr. Uuugghh…
To be completely truthful, most of the plays Joe ran were called by Joe himself using Mark Richt’s checkdowns. Mike Bobo helped Joe identify the reads and work on his footwork and technique.
Richt’s checkdowns have not changed much in his coaching career right down to the hand signals he uses. All opposing defensive coordinators know this and use it to their advantage. So ultimately Georgia does not call the plays, the opposing defensive coordinator does it by simulating the formation, putting the check down in motion. Once they bait Georgia into calling the play they want at the line, the defense shifts to its proper alignment.
This is why you see Georgia continue run on second and long with its very poor running game.
This is also the main reason Coach Richt’s boss told him to go back and study football.
DawginLex
April 13th, 2011
11:42 am
Let’s all go on the Florida blogs and disguise ourselves as Jay or joe and talk about how Tyler Murphy had a better spring than John Brantley yet he is still #2 QB.
Is Muschamp showing favoritism?
Can he not evaluate talent?
Druid City
April 13th, 2011
11:44 am
Druid City = Tuscaloosa, like Classic City = Athens.
You should know this as the team who ended your football program as you know it came from the Druid City.
tide roll
April 13th, 2011
11:58 am
If Harmon steps up, or Bean anderson, with Chris Burnette to Right Guard, that’s a pretty good starting offensive line. No depth though. Georgia natives Chance Warmack, Roke Watkins , JuWuan James and Ed Christian sure would have helped.
It Ain't Rocket Science
April 13th, 2011
11:58 am
Bama Pride,
I think you are right about WR at UGA. I think the DAWGS will be better off in the long run. I think we put in too much of the offense in play, based on Having A.J. and did not develope a consistent offensive game plan. It’s not like the teams UGA played didn’t know that if they contained Green, they could contain 3/4ths of UGA’s offense. I think UGA has a better overall chance of success on offense without one superstar, and with a bunch of good players at key positions. If the offensive line can do a better job, and the running backs step it up, the offense can be pretty good. It is kind of like, addition by subtraction I think.
I feel sure that the defense will be much improved this year.
Just have to wait until they play the game, but UGA has the players. If they are coached up, UGA can be good this year and maybe great next year.
As for Bama. I think they win the West Div. this year. LSU to me, is kind of over hyped. They will be good but I just do not think they bring all that much special to the game this year. I think they are going to have the same problem they did at QB last year. Very inconsistent play at that position.
Alabama | MrSEC.com
April 13th, 2011
11:59 am
[...] Sturdivant’s latest injury creates a big hold on Georgia’s offensive line.13. Some Georgia practice notes.14. With the NBA facing a lockout, UGA’s Travis Leslie now says he’ll stay in the NBA [...]
FLA DAWG
April 13th, 2011
12:10 pm
We’re gonna get murdered next season.
DawginLex
April 13th, 2011
12:15 pm
We’re gonna get murdered next season
**************************************************
Only if those 4 Auburn boys get out of jail early………………
Who cares (the original)
April 13th, 2011
12:20 pm
What bad luck Trinton Sturdivant has had. Having have knee and leg injuries hope this latest tear doesn’t affect his quality of life down the road.
Go Jackets!!
HECKLE
April 13th, 2011
12:20 pm
89st
Dawg Gone
April 13th, 2011
12:25 pm
This is why its so hard to get a good read on Bama ..you have insightful comments from Tide fans like Bama Pride..and then you have the tidal trollers like Druid City and Tide Roll…..
Jay
April 13th, 2011
12:29 pm
Is Bobo blind or just missing the obvious on Ealey? Ealey averages 5.5. ypc, Walker got 5.3. Ealey averages a td every 20 carries, so did Walker. UGA has never lost a game where Ealey got 20 carries—100% W’s.
Bobo, clueless, as usual.
ClinchCountyDawg
April 13th, 2011
12:35 pm
Tide Roll
You are so obsessed with O linemen, I’ll bet your wife or is built like an SEC center. 6′4″ and 315 lbs with body hair like Chewbacca. You probably make her pass you biscuits like a center to QB exchange.
ClinchCountyDawg
April 13th, 2011
12:39 pm
Jay
Ealey could be a very good back if he works and practices hard. But, Herschel was the greatest college RB of all time. The year he won Heisman, UGA averaged less than 100 yards per game passing. All the defenses were keying on him and he still carried the team.
Dawg Gone
April 13th, 2011
12:41 pm
ClinchCountyDawg save your breath any one who thinks Ealey is a better back that H.W was is beyond help…amazing.
Dawgface
April 13th, 2011
12:42 pm
Can’t wait till that halftime skillz competition. I heard Quincy Carter is also supposed to be there.
SEC Observer
April 13th, 2011
12:46 pm
That’s too bad for Sturdivant. He was a promising player who has had a tough luck career.
CMR has the players selecting the teams. What other coach does this? No wonder the inmates run the asylum and there are off the field problems.
Tony
April 13th, 2011
12:49 pm
Jay, good point, Ealey is averaging more yards per carry than Herschel, Ealey averaged a td every 14 carries last year, Walker got 1 every 20 over his career.
Loran, whatdayagot?
April 13th, 2011
12:51 pm
Just win !
Buckeye
April 13th, 2011
1:02 pm
DawginLex,
2002 is almost ancient history. Almost. 1980 is ancient history.
The refs didn’t huddle and overturn the call. No replay. Bang bang play. Win some. Lose some.
The trophy is proudly displayed at the Woody Hayes Center. Rings can occasionally be found on Ebay.